Solar Lattice

Measurement

High AC line harmonic distortion

ID
meas:ac-line-thd-high
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/meas/ac-line-thd-high
Status
active
Also known as
THD, THDi, Total harmonic distortion, Current Harmonic Distortion

This signature is a total harmonic distortion reading on the AC line that sits above what the connected inverter normally produces or tolerates. For reference, several inverter datasheets give output current distortion below 3 percent per IEEE 519 in normal operation. One manufacturer states its below 3 percent current distortion figure only when the AC voltage distortion is under 2 percent and output is above half of rated power, so check the operating point before you compare readings. Some units specify tighter output distortion limits, for example below 1 percent or below 1.5 percent, and grid-forming or battery inverters list voltage distortion limits of their own. Revenue and power quality meters can report total harmonic distortion as a harmonics quantity, which lets you trend it from monitoring data. When an inverter raises a grid-unstable alarm such as GRID-INTF, test the AC line for distortion twice, once with the DC switch off and once with it on. If distortion is high, you can switch off one of several inverters to see whether the reading changes, adjust impedance matching, and check for internal damage or a wire that came loose in shipping.

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Signals

Monitoring channels where this signature appears, named by SunSpec model point.

PointUnitPattern
model_103.PhVphAVDistorted or unsteady AC phase voltage at the inverter terminals
model_103.AAAbnormally high or distorted AC current reported alongside the alarm

Referenced by

Data